At Least 35 Killed, 30 Injured in Deadly Syria Bus Collision on Desert Highway

At least 35 people were killed and 30 others injured after two passenger buses collided on the Damascus–Deir al-Zor highway in central Syria on Saturday, triggering a massive rescue operation involving military helicopters and emergency teams. The crash occurred on the remote desert road between Palmyra (Tadmur) and Al Sukhna, one of the country's main routes connecting the capital with the eastern province of Deir al-Zor.

According to Syria's state news agency SANA, the collision involved a civilian passenger bus and another bus carrying members of the Internal Security Forces. Authorities have not yet disclosed how many of those killed or injured were civilians or security personnel.

The remote location of the accident prompted authorities to deploy Defence Ministry helicopters to airlift victims to Homs Military Hospital, while ambulances and Syrian Civil Defense teams from Palmyra and Deir al-Zor rushed to the scene. Rescue workers also battled a fire that erupted after the collision before recovering victims trapped inside the wreckage.

Health Ministry official Dr. Najib Al Naasan confirmed the latest toll of 35 deaths and 30 injuries, after earlier reports had put the casualty figures lower. Emergency crews continued rescue and recovery efforts for several hours amid difficult conditions in the isolated desert region.

Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab expressed condolences to the families of the victims, saying it was especially painful that both security personnel travelling to carry out their duties and innocent civilians had lost their lives in the tragedy. Authorities have not released the identities of the victims.

The cause of the collision remains unknown. Investigators are examining whether speeding, driver error, mechanical failure or road conditions contributed to the crash, but officials have not announced any preliminary findings. The incident is among Syria's deadliest road accidents in recent months and has renewed concerns over road safety on the country's long desert highways.